‘Social Spark’: Recent graduates design app to streamline ‘going out’ experience

A group of several students and recent graduates from Eastern and the University of Connecticut recently launched an app intended to help college students make the most of a night out. “Social Spark” launched for Apple this summer and will soon launch for Android devices.

According to founder and CEO Ray LaPointe ’25, the app helps mitigate the “inefficiencies of the word of mouth” when deciding on a local venue for a worthwhile night out. Users can share their experiences in real time at local restaurants, cafes, and other locales, helping others to decide where to go.

LaPointe was driven to create the app through his experience as an Eastern student looking to make social connections. “When I transferred to Eastern a year and a half ago, I didn’t know anybody,” he said. In addition to socializing on campus, LaPointe sought a means to find and meet peers at destinations downtown. 

This led him to search the mobile app market for a social networking solution. He found no such app and decided to develop “Social Spark” with the help of others desiring the same sort of connections.

The app features a live heatmap, highlighting the busiest local destinations in real time. If they choose to, users are able to share their location with friends to further facilitate gatherings. Beyond its live features, “Social Spark” provides detailed descriptions of local businesses and enables users to share feedback on the venues they visit.

According LaPointe, these tools empower users to choose lively destinations and enhance their social experiences.

Joining LaPointe on the “Social Spark” team are fellow Eastern graduate Gabriel Arevalo ’25, current students Jake Thompson, Kylah Bilheimer, and Jordi Cassar, and UConn alumnus Norbu Ciren. Each team member brings their own perspective on connecting students with local venues.

Underscoring LaPointe’s goal of helping students find a meaningful night out is an emphasis on safety for users of the app. “We’re not emphasizing that anyone should be going out or anything like that,” he said.

“People (in college) are already trying to go out and meet people. We’re condensing (the experience) and making it safer. … You don’t have to leave the house not knowing (you) have safety or (whether) you’re in a dangerous situation.”

Arevalo, who earned his degree in computer science from Eastern, executes LaPointe’s goal of safety for app users through various technical measures in the app’s construction, including a safety page listing resources and techniques to stay safe on nights out.

The app’s main safety features are a ready-to-dial 911 button and a detailed description of “angel shots.” This term refers to a safety technique by which a customer orders an “angel shot” from a bartender to communicate that they are in an unsafe situation and need assistance. This description, while not original to the app, is intended as a resource for app users to implement if necessary.

While some social networking sites share a user’s location to all who follow them, the “Social Spark” team intends to be more discreet with its users’ information. According to Arevalo, the app doesn’t currently share users’ locations but will eventually include a feature by which users can share their location with specific friends.

Ciren added that the app does not require participants to share their information or even create an account. “Of course, there are going to be perks with accounts, but unlike some other apps, we don't force users to make an account,” he said.

“You can be completely anonymous and still get all the important features that our app provides.”

The team has held several recent networking events to promote the app and will conduct more this fall and was encouraged by the support the app received.

“We didn’t know anyone there,” said Thompson of the first event. “They all loved it. I don’t think we had a single negative review. Getting that feedback (helps) us bring that momentum to Eastern and build from there.”

At these events, guests can learn about the app and enjoy “Social Spark” branded merchandise, such as t-shirts designed by business administration Lecturer Ashon Avent, who owns the local custom t-shirt business T-Shirt World.

The “Social Spark” team plans to hold future events at Blarney’s Café in Willimantic and Huskies Restaurant and Bar in Storrs, among others.

LaPointe said the current form of the app is meant to be a springboard for collaboration with users. “We want the (Eastern) community to build it with us; that’s our goal, to ask people what they want next from the app,” he said.